Worcester sewer project expected to affect traffic

Friday

Aug 15, 2014 at 11:10 PM

By Thomas Caywood TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — A major sewer project along Cambridge Street set to begin Monday could cause traffic delays affecting motorists and bus passengers until next year, according to police and transit officials.

A Worcester Regional Transit Authority alert issued Friday warned passengers that several bus routes along Main and Southbridge streets could experience service delays near Cambridge Street throughout the course of the construction, which is expected to take until February to complete.

Police asked motorists to remain patient and be alert to pedestrians and construction crews during the work. Signs pointing out alternate routes have been posted, police said.

The $7.6 million project will require some cross streets to be dug up so that more than a mile of the 125-year-old sewer line under Cambridge Street can be bypassed and relined.

The old sewer line includes brick and rock tunnel sections that are cracked, deformed and damaged by tree roots, according to Paul J. Moosey, commissioner of public works and parks.

In a report to the City Council, Mr. Moosey said the work would cause some inconvenience to residents and businesses in the area but is necessary to prevent a major sewer failure and the potential of a road collapse.

The project area extends from Main Street in Webster Square east to Saugus Place under the railroad tracks along Freemont Street and then along Cambridge Street to Woodward Street. The bus routes likely to be affected during the project are Routes 19, 27 and 33, which may face delays at the intersection of Main and Cambridge streets, and Routes 25, 29 and 42, which may get caught in traffic at the intersection of Southbridge and Cambridge streets, officials said.

A detour of Route 25 may eventually be needed to minimize any major disruptions in service, according to the transit agency.

Contact reporter Thomas Caywood at tcaywood@telegram.com or follow him on Twitter @ThomasCaywood